The Three Tenors (1994)

I have owned a cassette tape of this recording for several years now, and I've played it so much that it's worn out. Not only is the music marvelous, but the sheer talent of these men is such a breath of fresh air when compared with the Top 40-type "artists" of today. These are men at the top of their craft. Buy this CD.

Before I go on with this review . . .

I join the music world in mourning the passing away of a world-class operatic tenor, Luciano Pavarrotti early morning of September 6, 2007 at his home in Italy. He was 71 and had been battling pancreatic cancer, a killer disease. I know how it feels to lose a loved one from cancer so my heart goes out to the family of the late Mr. Pavarotti. My deepest sympathy and prayers are with you. May his soul rest in peace.

It gives me goose bumps thinking that I was just listening to this CD, "The 3 Tenors In Concert 1994" a few days before Mr. Pavarotti's death and savoring the beauty of this live concert recording by Pavarotti, Plácido Domingo and José Carreras with conductor Zubin Mehta in 1994 at the Dodger Stadium in L.A. with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Los Angeles Music Center Opera Chorus. Some of the most famous and remarkable works of my favorite classical masters are represented here -- Verdi, Massenet and Puccini. And not to mention Andrew Lloyd Webber, Nicholas Brodszky and Leonard Bernstein, among others.

While I loved all the songs with their immaculate and flawless arrangements as well as heartfelt and sincere renditions, I have special favorites from this awesome concert.

I'm totally smitten by the trio's medley called "Around The World" arranged by Lalo Schifrin which includes an all-time favorite of mine, Andrew Lloyd Webber's "All I Ask Of You," and "America," "Brazil," "Sous Les Ponts De Paris," "Torna A Surriento," "Lippen Schweigen" and "Be My Love," a song by Sammy Cahn and Nicholas Brodszky.

I'm affectionately nostalgic by the trio's performance on one of the two encores, "Libiamo Ne' Lieti Calici" from Verdi's opera "La Traviata." It reminded me and flashbacked in my mind that it was a favorite piece of my late father who also loved the music of The Three Tenors, but his number one favorite operatic singer was Enrico Caruso. He used to request this from my sister to play for him. He simply loved this beautiful piece of music. My sister and I loved it, too.

I'm sentimentally drawn to Luciano Pavarotti's performance on "Pourquoi Me Réveiller." This is from the opera "Werther" (Act 3). Its beautiful music was composed by one of my favorite French classical composers, Jules Massenet and the lyrics by Blau, Millet and Hartmann.

I'm completely charmed by the medley of "My Way," "Moon River," "Because" and "Singin' In The Rain" performed by the trio and arranged and orchestrated by a fine conductor, Lalo Schifrin.

I'm totally fascinated by "Granada" performed by Plácido Domingo. It's one of the most applauded performances here and I just love its fascinating rhythm. Ditto with the enchantment of Pavarotti's take on Puccini's "Nessun Dorma" from the opera "Turandot."

I'm endlessly enthralled by a song composed by Richard Rodgers and penned by Lorenz Hart titled "With A Song In My Heart" sung as beautiful as ever by José Carreras.

"When the music swells
I'm touching your hand
It tells me you're standing near, and . . .
At the sound of your voice
Heaven opens its portals to me
Can I help but rejoice
That a song such as ours came to be
But I always knew
I will live life through
With a song in my heart for you"

What is not to love about this CD? I just had an absolutely beautiful and glorious listening experience, and I'm sure you will, too!

Wholeheartedly recommended.

P.S. I wish they have included my all-time favorite "O Sole Mio" in the repertoire.

The Three Tenors are my absolute favourite singers. The 1994 Concert was undoubtedly their best in my view. I taped this live concert from the television, and have played and played and played it!! I also taped it on a cassette, however, when I bought the C.D. I was really disappointed that they did not include the last set of encore songs, which included O Sole a Mio (don't know if I've spelt that correctly), where Placido and Jose try and outdo Luciano!! It received such a fantastic reception from the crowd, (one of the many standing ovations), and really showed how much the Three Tenors seemed to enjoy performing the concert. How come this was not included? I don't know if it was on the Video because I play my own.

Many thanks for your time,

With kind regards,
Pam Sargeant.